Diabetes Mellitus Type I

DC 7913Endocrine38 CFR 4.119, DC 7913

An autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, requiring lifelong insulin treatment. The VA rates based on the level of treatment and complications.

Rating Levels

Your diabetes requires more than one daily injection of insulin, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities, with episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring at least three hospitalizations per year or weekly visits to a diabetic care provider, plus either progressive loss of weight and strength or complications that would be compensable if separately evaluated.

What the VA looks for

More than one daily insulin injection documented
Restricted diet and regulation of activities documented
At least three hospitalizations per year for ketoacidosis or hypoglycemia
Weekly visits to diabetic care provider
Progressive loss of weight and strength, or compensable complications
Pharmacy and treatment records showing intensive management

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting "regulation of activities" — the 40% rating requires a doctor to specifically state that your activities must be regulated due to diabetes.
⚠Not tracking hospitalizations for ketoacidosis or severe hypoglycemia episodes.
⚠Not filing separately for each diabetic complication (neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, erectile dysfunction) — these are rated in addition to the diabetes rating.
⚠Not documenting the frequency of diabetic care provider visits.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Diabetes Mellitus

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…

Rating Levels

What the VA looks for

More than one daily insulin injection documented
Restricted diet and regulation of activities documented
At least three hospitalizations per year for ketoacidosis or hypoglycemia
Weekly visits to diabetic care provider
Progressive loss of weight and strength, or compensable complications
Pharmacy and treatment records showing intensive management

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting "regulation of activities" — the 40% rating requires a doctor to specifically state that your activities must be regulated due to diabetes.

⚠Not tracking hospitalizations for ketoacidosis or severe hypoglycemia episodes.

⚠Not filing separately for each diabetic complication (neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, erectile dysfunction) — these are rated in addition to the diabetes rating.

⚠Not documenting the frequency of diabetic care provider visits.